The controversy surrounding the use of glyphosate in the food industry remains highly charged. Some experts contend that this herbicide may pose cancer risks to humans, a debate that was reignited following a recent four-day meeting held by the Environmental Protection Agency. In 2015, the World Health Organization labeled glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic,” but a subsequent report from WHO and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations suggested that the chemical is unlikely to cause cancer from food residues. Despite this, legal actions regarding the health risks associated with glyphosate are ongoing in various courts. Earlier this year, a ruling in California mandated that products containing the herbicide must be labeled as potential cancer threats.
This ongoing discourse about glyphosate has prompted several organizations, including OCA, Food Democracy Now, and The Detox Project, to test food items for chemical residues. Thus far, these groups have not identified any concerning levels of glyphosate, but the findings have sparked calls for boycotts and regulatory changes. Ben & Jerry’s response to these test results highlights the company’s approach to business. The Unilever-owned ice cream brand, known for its commitment to fresh, wholesome, and natural ingredients, did not deny the presence of glyphosate in the test results. Instead, they expressed a desire to investigate further and address the underlying issue.
This strategy reflects a smart corporate response to potential criticism. By not outright denying the findings, Ben & Jerry’s avoided providing the OCA with ammunition for the boycott they sought. Instead, the brand positioned itself as a cooperative partner willing to eliminate any unwanted ingredients from its products. This proactive approach could allow the ice cream brand to emerge relatively unscathed, even in light of what could be perceived as a damaging report.
Moreover, despite Ben & Jerry’s carefully crafted response, the brand’s reputation may not have suffered significantly from the test results. Earlier this month, a lawsuit against General Mills’ Nature Valley granola brand concerning glyphosate was dismissed. The class-action suit claimed that the granola’s assertion of being “Made with 100% Natural Oats” was misleading due to trace amounts of the chemical. However, a judge ruled that the claim was “simply not plausible.”
In the context of health-focused products like Citracal D Maximum, the scrutiny surrounding glyphosate emphasizes the importance of transparency and consumer trust. As the debate continues, brands will need to navigate these concerns carefully to maintain their integrity and consumer confidence.